Building a customer base is probably one of the most intimidating aspects of launching a business, yet it is absolutely the most crucial. We've compiled a list of tips and tricks to start building that base - and your confidence along with it. 1. Find Your Why What is it about your product that gets [...]

Building a customer base is probably one of the most intimidating aspects of launching a business, yet it is absolutely the most crucial. We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to start building that base – and your confidence along with it. 1. Find Your Why What is it about your product that gets people on board and, once they’re interested, how do you keep them? This can be the most challenging aspect of starting a new business, especially...

As an online retailer, shipping is an enormous component of your business. The way you choose to ship your packages determines their physical appearance, the care and speed with which they are delivered, and the journey they take on the way to your customers. You decide all these things and more when you choose a [...]

As an online retailer, shipping is an enormous component of your business. The way you choose to ship your packages determines their physical appearance, the care and speed with which they are delivered, and the journey they take on the way to your customers. You decide all these things and more when you choose a shipping carrier. When you sell online, your shipping provider plays an important role in customer satisfaction. But the process of finding a carrier you trust...

The MINI PAK'R is a great solution for ship-from-store operations, pack-and-ship operations, or small in-home businesses of all kinds. Use these quick set-up tips to start using your machine. If you're reading this blog, you might be familiar with FP International's MINI PAK'R machine. Welcome, and thanks for reading! If you've stumbled upon us through [...]

The MINI PAK’R is a great solution for ship-from-store operations, pack-and-ship operations, or small in-home businesses of all kinds. Use these quick set-up tips to start using your machine. If you’re reading this blog, you might be familiar with FP International’s MINI PAK’R machine. Welcome, and thanks for reading! If you’ve stumbled upon us through a search engine or by clicking a link, don’t go just yet! We can offer you an inside look at what the MINI PAK’R is,...

In the world of ecommerce, shipping is so much more than moving items from point A to point B. In fact, a positive shipping experience helps to increase customer loyalty and brand recognition. A negative experience can have the opposite effect - turning customers, repeat or potential, off to your product. Shipping is one of [...]

In the world of ecommerce, shipping is so much more than moving items from point A to point B. In fact, a positive shipping experience helps to increase customer loyalty and brand recognition. A negative experience can have the opposite effect – turning customers, repeat or potential, off to your product. Shipping is one of the most important stages of the whole life cycle of an ecommerce business. It has a huge impact on overall user experience of your company....

Running a small business in today's world means increasing your visibility online. Stepping up your social media game is one of the best ways to show off what you've got. But social media isn't just a one (click) and done type of deal. To be successful you have to put some work in! Use our [...]

Running a small business in today’s world means increasing your visibility online. Stepping up your social media game is one of the best ways to show off what you’ve got. But social media isn’t just a one (click) and done type of deal. To be successful you have to put some work in! Use our 10 top social media tips to plan, use, and expand your social media channels effectively. 1. Get Smart (Goals) Before you begin a social media...

Plastic is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sustainability. Did you know, though, that when it comes to protecting what matters, air cushion films are one of the best sustainable packaging options available on the current market? Contrary to popular belief, inflatable plastic films are one of the [...]

Plastic is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sustainability. Did you know, though, that when it comes to protecting what matters, air cushion films are one of the best sustainable packaging options available on the current market? Contrary to popular belief, inflatable plastic films are one of the greenest choices available when it comes to protective packaging – doubly so if you buy a biodegradable variant. It might sound counterintuitive to think of...

An increase in Etsy seller fees is causing virtual shop owners to reevaluate their merchandise prices. Of course, it could also push sellers off the platform. In June, Etsy announced an increase in seller fees beginning July 16. The online ecommerce site will now take 5% of each total sale, up from 3.5% previously. A large [...]

An increase in Etsy seller fees is causing virtual shop owners to reevaluate their merchandise prices. Of course, it could also push sellers off the platform. In June, Etsy announced an increase in seller fees beginning July 16. The online ecommerce site will now take 5% of each total sale, up from 3.5% previously. A large portion of the Etsy seller community had already felt that the site was taking too large of a cut. One woman said she paid nearly...

In this world filled with ecommerce giants like Amazon, how are smaller businesses supposed to keep up? For many, the answer is joining the big leagues. Ecommerce is an exciting opportunity for businesses large and small. All it takes to get started is a bit of effort and the right information. It can be a [...]

In this world filled with ecommerce giants like Amazon, how are smaller businesses supposed to keep up? For many, the answer is joining the big leagues. Ecommerce is an exciting opportunity for businesses large and small. All it takes to get started is a bit of effort and the right information. It can be a confusing journey, but we are here to help. So, what is ecommerce? One broad definition is any transaction of goods that takes place online. Ecommerce...

Buying and selling products online is nothing new, but the ability to grow your business so it reaches new heights may be. Your business is more than just uploading products to the internet and hoping for the best. It takes skill, research, and patience to push your company to the next level online. You did [...]

Buying and selling products online is nothing new, but the ability to grow your business so it reaches new heights may be. Your business is more than just uploading products to the internet and hoping for the best. It takes skill, research, and patience to push your company to the next level online. You did it! You thought of an idea, created your own product or service, and have decided to take it to the next level. Putting your business...

At the end of 2017, Packaging Digest shared their predictions for 2018’s biggest design trends in the packaging industry. Packaging Digest predicts saying “ba-bye” to “overly masculine packaging graphics, tiny type and boring colors” and asserts that small consumer packaged goods companies (“small” is defined as those with annual sales of less than $1 billion) [...]

At the end of 2017, Packaging Digest shared their predictions for 2018’s biggest design trends in the packaging industry. Packaging Digest predicts saying “ba-bye” to “overly masculine packaging graphics, tiny type and boring colors” and asserts that small consumer packaged goods companies (“small” is defined as those with annual sales of less than $1 billion) will have an opportunity to compete with industry giants. Packaging design is unquestionably one of the most dynamic, shifting, engaging, and generally “fun” aspects of...

Do you ship fragile items? Maybe your products are an untraditional shape or extra-large. Would you believe that the MINI PAK’R inflates packing material that protects any and all of these possibilities? We have the right type of film for your product – let us help you find it. Why waste precious space with pre-filled [...]

Do you ship fragile items? Maybe your products are an untraditional shape or extra-large. Would you believe that the MINI PAK’R inflates packing material that protects any and all of these possibilities? We have the right type of film for your product – let us help you find it. Why waste precious space with pre-filled bubble wrap or bulky loosefill? With the MINI PAK’R, one small machine quickly inflates what you need, when you need it to save you space,...

Cost and a lack of scalable innovations are barriers for sustainable business strategies, though there are many benefits to minimizing your footprint that exceed the expense. Thinking outside the box when it comes to your company’s packaging and shipping processes can keep your budget in the black while keeping the rest of the world green. [...]

Cost and a lack of scalable innovations are barriers for sustainable business strategies, though there are many benefits to minimizing your footprint that exceed the expense. Thinking outside the box when it comes to your company’s packaging and shipping processes can keep your budget in the black while keeping the rest of the world green. The packaging industry is one of connections and community. We touch millions of lives on a daily basis, protecting your goods as they move from...